This morning I was searching our Belles network for a Throwback Thursday post. Thinking about how early school started in Rockford this year and feeling obligated to attempt to inspire anyone who might be willing to take their kids abroad this fall. I mean some of the most meaningful memories we will make, in our ENTIRE LIFE, were made […]
Author Archives: Lynn Belles
I asked the Architect what do you want to be? Architect says “On Vacation”
Our inspiring new buzz phrase is a play on quirky Architect Louis Kahn’s famous advice that he used to give his students. Often he would tell them “if you are ever stuck for inspiration, ask your materials for advice” “You say to a brick, ‘What do you want, brick?’ And brick says to you, ‘I like […]
How to get Hatch Chile in the Midwest & What to do with it once it arrives….
While we each enjoyed a bowl of beans laced with the fruit of that irresistible plant, grown best in New Mexico, it occurred to us that we had never done a post about how to get Hatch Chile when you live in the Midwest! I mean this is mostly a Travel Blog – but some […]
What does Travel Like an Architect™ mean?
For over 20 years now I have been Working and Traveling with an Architect. To describe this Travel Like an Architect™ phenomenon in one word I would use “intense” – but don’t let that word Intense scare you – there is layer upon layer of passion creating the intensity! You might even call him a Travel […]
The Basics of Cuban Currency Exchange
Choose the value of your Cuban Currency! By learning the basics of Cuban Currency Exchange. No one in the world is allowed to have Cuban Currency, unless they are in Cuba! It is not allowed to leave Cuba. It has never been an issue, until now, I mean who would want it? We don’t have a use […]
Architect Enters Design Contest then ends up DEAD! in the Colon Cemetery of Havana
Christopher Colon Cemetery was one of the destinations on the Day 2 – fathom Havana Bus Tour. We missed the main entrance to the graveyard where an impressive sculpture in the form of an “arc of triumph” is located. We had been talking in the back of the bus and suddenly noticed that we were IN the Cemetery. The […]
Callejon de Hamel – The Hamel Alley
Our second day in Havana included a bus tour. Lunch the previous day on the walking tour had been so good that we didn’t want to miss the potential Paladar lunch, since it was included, so we got on the bus. We really did and saw a lot that day but the last thing was […]
7 Reasons Why NOW is the Right Time to Travel Abroad
I get so tired of hearing “I won’t leave the county right now” or “I don’t dare travel abroad” My frustration has nothing to do with the fact that I sell travel. I just really feel a sense of pity for these people who are literally afraid to travel abroad. Do they really think that […]
The Fathom Cienfuegos Bus in Cuba – Architecture in Abundance
Some of you are probably wondering like we were, what to expect on the Fathom Cienfuegos bus ride in, Cuba. After all Cienfuegos is a small town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As Architects we always know that a UNESCO site will have Architecture in abundance! We didn’t want to miss ANY of it! We always LOVE […]
Early, Late or Anytime Dining? Choosing my Cruise Dinner!
How do I know if I want early, late or anytime dining? How do I Choose my Cruise Dinner? It’s my first Cruise! I have no idea what I want or why? If this is you – Welcome! and Congratulations you are about to discover the most convenient, safe and affordable way to do International […]